🌱 Woman's Bond Set After Shooting Officer + Yard Waste Collection

Hey, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Rather cloudy. High: 42 Low: 23.
• Thursday: Milder with some sun. High: 55 Low: 32.

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Here are the top three stories in Billings today:

1. Mary Ann Whitecrane, 57, appeared in Yellowstone County District Court on Tuesday for arraignment on felony charges of attempted deliberate homicide and criminal mischief, after being charged with shooting a Billings police officer during a weekend standoff. Her bond was set at $250,000 after Judge Michael Moses entered not guilty pleas on her behalf, and a prosecutor's request for a higher bond amount of $1 million was rejected. During the court appearance, Whitecrane was seated in a wheelchair and complained she did not have her glasses and therefore could not read the charging documents, and her public defender read the documents to her in private. (Q2 News)
2. The Solid Waste Division of Billings is reminding residents that yard waste collection will begin on Apr. 3 and continue until Nov. 25. To ensure timely collection, residents are advised to follow the pickup guidelines and refer to the Yard Waste Route Map for a reminder of their yard waste collection day. Large limbs and branches are collected as "extras," and those who do not have a green yard waste bin can request one from the Account Services team. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)
3. The Billings Public Library (BPL) will host a free presentation on human trafficking with Department of Justice and FBI agents on Mar. 27 from 3-5 p.m. This event is part of BPL's Social Awareness Series, which aims to explore social and cultural influences on the Billings community, and it is open to the public. Attendees will learn about how human trafficking affects local and state communities and have an opportunity to ask questions. (Laurel Outlook)

Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Wednesday, March 22

• Coffee With Councilmember Choriki At Billings Chamber of Commerce (8:00 AM)
• Billings Public Schools Board Of Trustees Special Meeting At Lincoln Education Center (5:30 PM)

Thursday, March 23

• Mystery At The Moss For Kids At Moss Mansion (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• New homes have been listed for sale in the Billings area! Get all the property details at the link. (Billings Patch)
• The Billings Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited is hosting a free fishing seminar at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center on Saturday, Mar. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The seminar, which requires registration by calling (406) 860-9192, will cover topics such as trolling presentations and how to get the most out of your electronics, and lunch will be provided. (Billings Gazette)
• The Harlem Quartet will perform at the Alberta Bair Theater on Tuesday, Mar. 28 at 7:30 p.m. The quartet has been highly praised for its unique programming which combines standard string quartet literature with jazz, Latin, and contemporary works. (Laurel Outlook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you all soon for your next update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.